Day 29: The Last Horror Film

Some people consider The Last Horror Film to be Maniac 2. This isn't true though. Maniac 2 was actually in production but couldn't be completed before Joe Spinell unfortunately passed away. You can actually see a scene made for Maniac 2 on The Last Horror Film's DVD extras. But we don't talk about DVD's here. It's an interesting assumption, since The Last Horror film is much more lighthearted than Maniac.

Joe Spinell plays a disturbed aspiring film director who is obsessed with actress Jana Bates (Could be a nod to Psycho). Jana is a scream queen with A-Lister popularity. Joe packs his bags and informs his mother that he is traveling to Cannes Film Festival in France. Upon arrival he embarks upon a mission to make a horror film starring Bates. Directors, Producers, and Agents all turn him down and begin mysteriously disappearing.

The Last Horror Film has decent gore. Nothing spectacular, but definitely enough to keep you satisfied. Scenes of films being screened at the festival are particularly great. There's a hilarious scene where Jana Bates has her face completely burned off. Judges at the festival are impressed with it and unanimously vote Bates for an award.

The plot is an interesting take on the slasher genre. Having the killer film all the murders (At fantastic, un-achievable angles in most cases) as he commits them is a unique touch for the time. There is even a decent plot twist that is completely unexpected. A lot of slasher films have you expecting a twist for the entire film, by the end you can usually figure it out. The best twists are executed when you don't expect it and that's whats done here.

Joe Spinell does an excellent job in the role he's pretty much typecasted as. A sweat covered Spinell always looks sleazy and creepy. He's perfectly suited for such a role. He does a great job lightening the character up a bit to fit the tone of the film. Fans of Spinell will be pleased with his work here and slightly different approach to a mentally disturbed character.

The Last Horror Film is a fun slasher film that is sure to please genre fans.  There's plenty of nudity, decent gore, quality performances (as good as you can ask for a movie like this), and tons of comedic moments. You can't outdo Maniac, so The Last Horror Film became self aware and added some funny moments. It's not too comedic though that it ruins the good atmospheric horror scenes.

Body Count:5

Side Note:  Vinny's( Joe Spinell) mother is played by Joe Spinell's actual mother. You can tell they're having a blast working with each other on camera. Their dialogue exchanges are some of the most comical parts of the film.